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Another thread got me thinking, who has the "it" factor and who doesn't? I have worked with some people that should not be allowed to look at a wrench, let alone touch one. They have an amazing ability to cross thread, strip and break anything they touch, yet leave what should be tight loose (lug nuts come loose, etc). They are a danger to themselves and anyone in their vicinity :smt103
Signs you have the "it" factor...
Horror stories wall of shame of those who do not...
Signs you have the "it" factor...
- You never strip out or break a bolt on assembly... can easily feel the correct amount of torque
- Never cross thread anything, ever. Always turn the correct direction, even when upside down or reaching around 180 degrees to get to a awkward location bolt.
- Can easily figure out how to assemble and disassemble pretty much anything mechanical
- Have decent or above average speed.... its not gonna take you all day to change the oil.
- Very good at removing stuck bolts. Use the right combination of penetrant, heat, impact, how much force can be applied and back off just before its getting ready to strip and try another method.
- Creative using tools beyond what they are designed for (using a metric wrench when the correct size sae is fitting too loose or visa versa, two wrenches end to end for better leverage, a crescent wrench on a screwdriver for awkward positions or more torque needed, ...)
- Good accessing awkward position bolts (typical example header bolts on a stock vehicle with big a/c box, will not drop the bolt 50 times before getting it started)
Horror stories wall of shame of those who do not...
- Break, cross thread or strip out brand new bolts on assembly
- Frequently drops nuts or bolts where they should not be (down intake port, etc). The occasional mistake is ok, everybody does it... but this person is habitual, does it nearly every single time
- Over tightens everything, breaks ears off carburetors, bends header flanges, etc... you never want to work on something after this person has touched it.
- Causes alot of collateral damage.... loves the hammer way too much. They jack the car and crush a body panel, scratch the body with a slipping wrench, grease on car interior, etc
- Takes all day to do the simplest task. You tell them to remove the oil filter and they crush it, remove the drain plug and they strip it out, etc. The occasion mistake is forgivable, but this person does it nearly everytime
- Breaks, looses or leaves tools under the hood frequently. Many times to exit vehicle in spectacular fashion on the highway. Always has parts "left over" at the end of a job.